Critique groups can be good or bad. If you do not belong to a critique writing group, I strongly recommend you find one., but I add some cautions. When searching for a group look for the following attributes. First some don'ts.

Don't join a group that does not like the genre you write.Don't join a group that changes every line you write.Don't join a group that want to change the plot and theme of your story.Don't join a group the wants to change your characters and your ending.

So much for the don'ts. Look for a group that does the following:Mentions inconsistencies in your story. (I can't believe the number of times I've changed the color of hair of a character.)Mentions motivation of character.Mentions clearness of sentences and awkward sentences.Mentions organization.Mentions emotions, reflections and inner thoughts of characters. Are they consistent with the character? GMCMentions POV. Do you head hop within scenes?Mentions too much telling and not enough showing.Mentions too much passive voice.Mentions strength or weakness of ending of story.Reads or writes books in the genre you are writing.

A member in one group I belonged to was so severe in her criticisms I almost gave up writing. Thankfully, I did not since I've had four books published, and I'm in the process of final editing before sending out a proposal to an editor about my latest book. Thanks to the critique group I belong to now, I am a better writer.

Mary, thanks you for sharing your well-written blog about writer groups. I agree with your thoughts. I, along with 3 others, founded our writing group in 1994 and we're still going strong. I consider it my most valuable writing tool.

I'd add a couple more don'ts. Don't join a group where one person dominates the critique, and don't join a group where critiques are brutal. Yes, the point is to receive criticism, but it should be CONSTRUCTIVE criticism and be balanced with praise. We all need to have what we do well reinforced. That's part of the reason critique groups exist.

Mary, thank you for your comments on critique groups. I have belonged to an in person group that met weekly for almost 10 years. They kept me going and helped so much. I also have belonged to two on-line groups. The second one, a small one, was particularly helpful and included people in different parts of the country. We don't meet so regularly any more, but the attributes you listed were so important to me. Several of these members still read my work and I read theirs. I am so glad you persevered with your group!

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Julie Weston

3/7/2016 08:06:27 pm

Thanks for your feedback.

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Donald Miller

3/21/2017 12:14:55 pm

Mary, if you are the author of "Murder on Sunday", I would like to hear from you. I believe I sold you a Dodge Pick Up back in Loveland.

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